Sen. Heather Gustafson

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. It directly provides funding to connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty service members, and veterans with registered apprenticeships and career opportunities in the building and construction trades. The funds will cover program recruitment, selection, training, and employment services through a grant to Building Strong Communities. The program must operate without discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or veteran status.

Maddy summarySF 1814 allows patients (or their health care agents) to create written "nonopioid directives" stating they must not be administered opioids or offered opioid prescriptions by health professionals. Health providers must include these directives in medical records and comply with them, except in emergency settings where opioids are medically necessary. The bill also establishes legal immunity for health professionals, facilities, and emergency medical services providers who reasonably follow these directives or inadvertently administer opioids while acting in good faith. This directly affects patients seeking opioid avoidance and healthcare providers treating them.

Maddy summarySF 1591 clarifies the age limit for Minnesota students with disabilities to receive special education services. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 125A.03 to specify that services must continue until July 1 after a child turns 22, but cannot extend beyond the completion of secondary school or its equivalent. This directly affects students with disabilities transitioning from K-12 education who would otherwise lose eligibility mid-year upon turning 22. The key provision ensures continuity of services through the end of the school year following a student's 22nd birthday, aligning with federal requirements. The change takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySF 1307 requires tobacco retailers licensed to sell tobacco products, tobacco-related devices, or electronic delivery devices to stock and offer for sale at least one FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product for tobacco cessation. This applies to most tobacco retailers, excluding cigar shops (defined as stores selling only cigars and accessories). Retailers must display NRT products behind checkout counters, provide in-store notice of availability, and restock within 14 days if they sell out. The bill mandates these provisions to increase access to NRT products where tobacco is sold, without dictating specific product types or quantities beyond the minimum requirement.

Maddy summarySF 1664 appropriates $500,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of administration for a grant to Haven for Heroes. The funds will directly support planning and designing a museum chronicling Anoka State Hospital's history and mental health care history, plus preserving the historic auditorium on the Anoka State Hospital campus. This bill affects Haven for Heroes (as the grant recipient) and the Anoka State Hospital campus (as the project site). The appropriation is specifically for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summarySF 1275 adjusts how Minnesota school districts receive additional funding for extended educational programming. It links the "extended time allowance" to annual increases in the general education basic formula, meaning districts get more funding each year based on the growth rate of core education funding. This directly affects school districts serving students in day treatment programs or children's residential facilities (like psychiatric care centers), as it calculates their extended time revenue using a formula based on pupil units and instructional hours. The bill also specifies that this funding must be used for approved extended programs like summer school, vacation academies, or extended day/week initiatives, effective for fiscal year 2026 and beyond.

Maddy summarySF 185 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the homestead market value exclusion from $150,000 to $250,000 for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating, and from $300,000 to $450,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. The bill also allows surviving spouses of qualifying veterans to continue receiving the higher exclusion amount ($450,000) if they reside in the home and meet specific conditions. Primary family caregivers approved by the VA may also qualify for the exclusion on the veteran's homestead. This policy directly affects veterans, their spouses, and designated caregivers who own qualifying property in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's school funding rules to allow public school districts to use long-term facilities maintenance revenue for school safety facility enhancements. Specifically, it adds "school safety facility enhancements" to the list of eligible uses, including security remodeling, violence prevention equipment, and facility security modifications. School districts must now include these safety projects in their required ten-year facility plans, which also address health/safety programs and gender-neutral restrooms. The change takes effect for fiscal year 2026 funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation. It funds the "Carts to Careers" initiative, which provides job skills training, outreach, and scholarships for people seeking careers in the food retail industry. The grant supports workforce development activities like certifications and training to strengthen the food industry job pipeline. This one-time funding directly benefits job seekers in Minnesota's grocery sector and the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation as the recipient.

Maddy summarySF 1323 modifies the mission of Minnesota's Math Corps program, which provides math instruction support to elementary and middle school students and teachers through ServeMinnesota AmeriCorps members. The bill requires the program to use a "data-based problem-solving model" for instructional support, focusing on foundational math skills to meet state standards and workforce expectations. It appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for 2027 (with unused 2026 funds rolling over to 2027) to support the program. The bill also mandates a biennial report to education committees evaluating the program's effectiveness in accelerating student learning.